Fruit imports in India include the premium and exotic varieties of fruits, such as apples, kiwis, avocados, berries, and numerous citrus fruits, and are on the rise due to the spike in sales as a result of the changes in the lifestyle, health concerns, and spending income of the population in urban India. Due to the rapid development of the market and imported fruit sales, this growth offers opportunities for new import businesses, wholesalers, and retailers. The fruit importation is one of the fastest growing in the food and agriculture industries as a result of the installation and improvement of cold-chain systems.

Why Fruit Imports in India Are Growing Rapidly

There are several socio-economic factors that have contributed to the increase of imported fruits in India, for example:

  • There are several socio-economic factors that have contributed to the increase of imported fruits in India, for example:
  • There has been a shift by consumers towards healthier diets, which include fruit.
  • Urban households, hotels, and premium restaurants are increasingly demanding off-season and exotic fruits, contributing to healthier diets.
  • Access to imported fruit is easier than in the past due to online grocery platforms.
  • Fresh fruits are being imported into India due to improvements in refrigerated transport and storage systems.
  • The increasing popularity of health-oriented activities has spurred interest in consuming health-driven fruits like apples, avocados, blueberries, and kiwi.

As blueberries and avocados have high nutritional value, the market share of these health-oriented fruits remains high. For these reasons, the value of blueberries and avocados in the health-oriented fruits segment has grown in healthy developing countries like India, creating strong opportunities for entrepreneurs entering the import and export business.

Market Demand for Imported Fruits in India

The Indian market has seen a significant shift in consumption of different fruits. The domestic market consumes a significant portion of fruit production; however, certain fruits are primarily imported due to their high quality, superior taste, or limited availability in India.

Most Popular Fruits Imported in India

The most traded fruits imported in India include:

  • Apples (Washington, Royal Gala, Iran, Turkey)
  • Kiwi (New Zealand, Iran, Chile)
  • Avocado (Peru, Kenya, Vietnam)
  • Blueberries
  • Grapes and plums
  • Pears
  • Dragon fruit

Apples and kiwis dominate the overall share of fruit imports in India, while nutrition and health benefits have provided a good demand in the imports of the Indian market for fruits, with categories like Almonds Import in India also experiencing strong growth.

Demand Drivers in Major Cities

The popularity of exotic and imported fruits is driven by:

  • Metropolitan Demand from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad
  • Online Retailers: BigBasket, Jiomart, Blinkit, and Amazon Fresh
  • Premium Hotels, Cafes, and Restaurants
  • Nutrition-oriented Families and Fitness Enthusiasts

This consistent rise in demand directly benefits importers aiming to capitalize on the potential to fruit import in India.

Top Imported Fruits and Their Standard Price Range

Apple Import Prices in India

Apples continue to be the most imported fruit, as there are low quantities of high-quality domestic varieties. The price varies based on the origin, as follows:

  • Washington apples are premium-priced.
  • Turkish and Iranian apples are more economical.
  • New Zealand apples are mid- to high-range.

Kiwi Import Price Range

Kiwi imports continue to rise as the fruit is popular within salads, desserts, and juice combinations.

Pricing by origin is approximately:

  • New Zealand (Zespri) is high-tier.
  • Chile is mid-tier.
  • Iran is budget-controlled.

Avocado Import Pricing

Avocados were once a specialty imported fruit, but now they’re mainstream within the metropolitan area, driven largely by the steady rise of Avocado Import in India.

Factors Influencing Pricing Different By Country

  • Peru’s pricing – premium
  • Kenya’s pricing – competitive
  • Vietnam’s pricing – low-cost

Pricing Factors That Affect Imported Fruits

The prices of imported fruits in India are influenced by:

  • The exporting country’s production season
  • Freight – air cargo vs sea cargo
  • Import duties (GST inclusive)
  • Standard packing
  • Cost of cold-chain logistics

With the passage of time, as logistics become more advanced, the prices of fruits imported in India will be more competitive.

Top Supplier Countries for Fruit Imports in India

With more than 20 countries supplying fruits to India, a number of them stand out as being the best suppliers for their quality, price, and availability.

USA

  • Major exports: blueberries, cherries, and apples.
  • Well known for high-quality, premium-grade fruits.

Chile

  • Key supplier for grapes, plums, apples, and kiwi.
  • Most preferred for having consistent quality and a longer shelf life.

New Zealand

  • Top supplier of premium Zespri kiwis.
  • Strong competition in the value-added fruit segment.

Vietnam

  • Major source of tropical fruits, dragon fruit, and avocado. 
  • Countries offer the most competitive prices and quick export times.

Turkey & South Africa

  • Specialized in pears, grapes, apples and citrus.
  • They’re a lot cheaper for large-scale importers.

Peru & Kenya

  • Peru and Kenya are prominent exporters of blueberries and avocados.
  • They’re popular for having niche and premium fruits.

These countries compose the largest share of fruit imports in India, supplying to both the premium and mass markets.

Import Procedure for Fruits in India

Required Documents

When importing fruits and vegetables to India, the following documentation is required:

  • Import Export Code (IEC)
  • FSSAI import license
  • Phytosanitary certificate
  • Certificate of origin
  • Commercial invoice & packing list
  • Bill of lading or airway bill

HS Codes for Imported Fruits

Each fruit and vegetable category covered within the import license has a specific HS code to be used within the customs documentation. For Example:

  • Apples: HS Code 080810
  • Kiwi: HS Code 081050
  • Avocado: HS Code 080440
  • Grapes: HS Code 080610

When importing fruits into India, an important step to ensuring timely customs clearance is the use of the correct HS code.

Cold Chain & Storage Requirements

Keeping a proper cold chain is crucial because:

  • Fruits need to be kept in transport at specific controlled temperatures.
  • Most fruits require storage temperatures of 0-5°C.
  • Humidity levels need to be kept within a specific range.
  • Spoilage is prevented with the proper ventilation.

Importers are maintaining a reliable cold chain to get a competitive advantage in the imported fruits in the industry.

Opportunities in the Imported Fruits Business

The possibilities are fantastic given the growing Indian economy:

  • The demand for exotic fruits among consumers is rising.
  • The sales volumes are very high in supermarkets and hotel chains.
  • Fruits, such as avocados, blueberries, and cherries, have significantly high markups.
  • There is very low competition in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
  • The market stability is very far in the future.

Entrepreneurs entering the market of fruit imports in India can scale quickly with proper sourcing and distribution strategies.

Challenges in Fruit Import in India

There are, however, some challenges in the fruit imports in india business:

  • There are high import duties in certain types of fruits
  • The perishability is very high, and fruits are short-shelved.
  • There can be unexpected shipping delays.
  • There is some quality rejection in the vertical due to poor storage.
  • The global market for imported fruits has price volatility.

However, new entrants in the Indian market can build regulatory-compliant value in the challenges of imported fruits in India business if they have a good plan in place.

Conclusion

The declining supply of exotic fruit imports in India, combined with growing consumer import demand and the capability for efficient cold-chain logistics, has resulted in a strong growth trajectory in imported fruits. India has strong relationships with countries such as the USA, Chile, Vietnam, and New Zealand, giving fruit imports in India a good opportunity within India’s Import Market. This particular business can effectively address the market needs within India’s imported fruits sector. We’ve fulfilled the right business opportunities for long-term high profitability potential.